A scaffolder has been sentenced after being caught on camera erecting scaffolding 60ft in the air without clipping on.
Scaffolder ******** has been handed a 26-week suspended jail sentence for his dangerous actions. He admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Appearing today for sentencing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court *** was told his actions had not only put his own safety at risk but that of others also.
****** was erecting scaffolding at the rear of a Grade II-listed building on Quay Street in Manchester as part of works to renovate the windows.
The court was told ****** was spotted and photographed by a retired Health & Safety inspector wearing a harness but wasn’t clipped on, he was at least 60ft up on the top lift of the scaffolding.
In the image below, the experienced scaffolder can be seen standing on the top lift without first erecting a SG4 guardrail.
Sentencing, District Judge ******* said he was satisfied ***** had shown ‘genuine remorse’ for his actions.
He added: “The immediate risk you were creating was to your own safety and to that of others. If you were to lose balance the risk was others could have been injured, potentially fatally.”
****** was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. He will be required to complete 100 hours community service and was ordered to pay £615 in costs and victim surcharge.
*******, HM inspector of health and safety, said: “This result goes to show the HSE will prosecute where we see people being put at risk or killed.
SG4:15 Training is available from Safety & Access Ltd www.safetyaccess.co.uk
